Form rule – execution order

 Applies to version 2020.1.3; author: Franciszek Sakławski

Introduction

By creating dependencies between form fields on the form, fields are repeatedly calculated based on the basis of other fields. To correct calculations, remember to properly set their order. This article describes several examples of dynamic field calculation, and then in a tabular form the order od execution of rules for both the Modern and Classic form ha been presented.

Description of the functionality

Below two examples of dynamic field calculation have been described.

1. The text field from the Picker field will be filled in and then, from the text field the value of the third field will be set using the SET function.
2. Using the SET function in the first field, set the value of the second field, and their change will refresh the default values on the form. In the third field, set the default value which will fill in our value after refreshing.

Case 1

Three fields - 1 picker field and 2 text fields are defined on the form

1. Country (picker) – select the country value
2. Country code (text) – automatically filled in the country code
3. Is Poland (checkbox) – automatically filled in the true or false value

Fig. 1. The advanced configuration of the Picker field

In the “Country” field select that the “Description” column will fill in the “Country code” field. Then, when changing the value of the :Country code” field, place the form rule filling the “Is Poland” value field with the desired value:

Fig. 2. Style and behavior tab

After selecting the value in the “Country” field, all three fields should be filled with the value:

Fig. 3. Filling the field with the value

Case 2

Three fields - 1 picker field and 2 text fields are defined on the form

1. Country (picker) – it changes the “Country code” field value
2. Country code (text) – it refreshes the default values of the fields
3. Is Poland (checkbox) – with the default value being set

Fig. 4. Style and behavior tab

In the “Style and behavior” tab of the “Country” field, set the form rule that changes the “Country code” field value. Then set the change of the “Country code” field value to refresh the default values on the form.

Fig. 5. The configuration of the “Country code” field

In the “Is Poland” field set the default value according to the “Country code” field:

Fig. 6. The “Is Poland” field default value

Business rule

On the form, you can also create business rules that can use integration tools such as SQL query or Data Source Value. Let’s create a rule and implement it in the “Style and behavior” tab. To present the abilities of business rules, take the “Name” value of the “Countries” dictionary process element.

The dictionary element from which you will retrieve the data has an ID with the value "ff024404-ef6e-46ec-a8a1-9cd8c63df0a3". The form looks like this:

Fig. 7. Dictionary element

In the business rule, embed the SQL query that refers to the telephone code of a given country. If you enter “+48” in the field, the system should find a dictionary element containing country data with such code.

Let’s go to WEBCON BPS Designer Studio and create a rule. At the bottom of the process, expand the "Configuration" field and then the "Business rules" field. When the new screen opens, click the 'New rule' button.

Fig. 8. Adding the business rule

Then in the expression editor, select the “SQL COMMAND” and create the SQL query referring to the element and save the rule.

Fig. 9. The configuration of the business rule

You can add this rule to the rules executing on the field change value. In the “Country code” field configuration enter this rule as a default.

Fig. 10. Filling in the field with value

The execution order of the form rule for the Modern and Classic forms

MODERN FORM

Form rules executed on page load

No.	Configuration	Tab	Field name	Link
1	Workflow cofiguration (Forms)	Behavior	Form rule to be executed on page load
2	Step edit (Forms)	Form - Behavior	Form rule to be executed on page load
3	Form field configuration	General	Default value

Forms executed on value change

If in the form field configuration the “Change of value generates postback” field is set, the rule execution order is as follows:

No.	Configuration	Tab	Field name	Link
1	Form field configuration	Style and behavior	Form rule to be executed on value change
2	Form field configuration	General	Default value

CLASSIC FORM

Form rules executed on page load

No.	Configuration	Tab	Field name	Link
1	Workflow configuration (Form)	Behavior	Form rule to be executed on page load
2	Step edit (Form)	Form - behavior	Form rule to be executed on page load
3	Workflow configuration (Form)	Behavior	Form rule to be executed on page load and postbacks
4	Step edit (form)	Form - Behavior	Form rule to be executed on page load and postbacks

Forms executed on value change

No.	Configuration	Tab	Field name	Link
1	Form field configuration	Style and behavior	Form rule to be executed on value change
2	Workflow configuration (Form)	Behavior	Form rule to be executed on page load and postbacks
3	Step edit (Form)	Form - behavior	Form rule to be executed on page load and postbacks